BaconFest returns for the second year this Friday

An event unlike any other in our area will return for its second year this Friday. BaconFest is back on the Monmouth city square from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Director of Community and Economic Development Paul Schuytema says he’s expecting between 3,000 to 5,000 attendees this year. He tells WGIL there will be a little bacon brought in as well. 

“It’s looking like just under a ton of bacon,”Schuytema laughs. “Last time, you could fit it all in a minivan. This is much more.”

Besides celebrating bacon itself, the festival is to celebrate one of Monmouth’s largest economic producers, the Smithfield and Farmland hog processing plant.

A number of events will be included in the fest this year. As of Friday, 15 vendors had signed up to provide a number of bacon inspired dishes ranging from bacon salsa to bacon s’mores. Judges will score many of those items.

Schuytema says a new event this year is a bacon eating contest.

“We’re going to have eight contestants and they have up to five minutes to see if they can get down three pounds of cooked bacon,” Schuytema says. “It’s the first one done, then if nobody can do it by five minutes we’ll weigh the plates.”

Schuytema adds that the entire fest will be an open beer garden this year, so, those of age can drink and eat their bacon at the same time. Tickets are $3 each or a book of seven for $20.

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